Garment clip

ABSTRACT

A garment clip device includes a strap, a distal-end clip and a proximal-end clip. The garment clip device is useful for providing a simple, convenient, and comfortable method of keeping bras, underwear, and slips secure in a non-visible manner, and for providing decorative straps for strapless garments. The device is very versatile in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/547,476 filed Aug. 18, 2017, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art nor material to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of fasteners andmore specifically relates to device for securely fastening a garment toa user.

2. Description of Related Art

Undergarments are items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, usuallyin direct contact with the skin, although they may comprise more than asingle layer. They serve to keep outer garments from being soiled ordamaged by bodily excretions, to lessen the friction of outerwearagainst the skin, to shape the body, and to provide concealment orsupport for parts of it. Many women may suffer from the problem of theirunderwear and half-slips falling down throughout a day of wear.Underwear could slide down below the waist line and cause anembarrassing situation for the individual. Half-slips may slide aroundunderneath a skirt or dress and cause discomfort. Further, bathing suitbottoms could roll down and easily slide off while in the water. Withouta way to secure the garments to the body, women may end up losingclothing garments and suffering from extreme embarrassment. An effectivealternative is needed.

U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0106167 to Yuliya Loshinsky relates to femaleundergarment suspenders. The described female undergarment suspendersinclude suspenders attached to the pants with strap attachment membersthat are discrete and easily attach to belt loops or similar loop likeprovision on the waistline of the wearer's pants. The suspenders easy toput on and take off, discrete, not visible under clothing, comfortable,conforms to body movement, fits all sizes, has adjustable straps thataccommodate different heights, lines up with bra straps, has anadjustable back to accommodate different tops and is made withlingerie/elastic straps that hook onto or around belt loops and go overthe shoulders.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known fastenersart, the present disclosure provides a novel garment clip. The generalpurpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequentlyin greater detail, is to provide a simple, convenient, and comfortablemethod of keeping bras, underwear, and slips secure in a non-visiblemanner, and for providing decorative straps for strapless garments.

A garment clip device is disclosed herein. The garment clip deviceincludes a strap which may include a distal-end, a proximal-end oppositethe distal-end and a strap-length therebetween. A distal-end clip may beattached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip may have afirst distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joined tothe first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a firstactuator-lever. The first distal-end clip member may include at leastone first mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member mayinclude at least one first mating-aperture configured tomateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion, and the firstactuator-lever may be configured to selectively open and close the firstdistal-end clip member and the second distal-end clip member.

Further, a proximal-end clip may be attached to the proximal-end of thestrap, the proximal-end-clip may have a first proximal-end clip-member,a second proximal-end clip-member joined to the first proximal-endclip-member via a second-hinge, and a second actuator-lever. Likewise,as above, the first proximal-end clip member may include at least onesecond mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip member mayinclude at least one second mating-aperture configured tomateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and thefirst actuator-lever may be configured to selectively open and close thefirst proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member.

A method of using garment clip device is also disclosed herein. Themethod of using garment clip may comprise the steps of: providing thegarment clip as above; attaching the distal-end clip to a first garmentat a first-side of a user; and attaching the proximal-end clip to asecond garment at the first-side of the user.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages,and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is tobe understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achievedin accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught hereinwithout necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to benovel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in theconcluding portion of the specification. These and other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following drawings and detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, agarment clip device, constructed and operative according to theteachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front-side perspective view of the garment clip deviceduring an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for garment clipdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate tofasteners and more particularly to a garment clip as used to improve thedevice for securely fastening a garment to a user.

Generally speaking, disclosed is an undergarment retaining clip devicecapable of keeping bras, underwear, and slips in a consistent positionwhile being worn. It may feature clip mechanisms on both sides of thedevice which enable the device to be firmly secured to a bra andundergarments in a discrete manner. The device may include adjustablelength in order to accommodate women of different heights and toaccommodate different types of undergarments. A convenient draw-stringtravel bag may be provided transport two or more of the devices withouttaking up extensive space in a purse, backpack, suitcase, and the like.

Preferably, the device may include an adjustable elastic type strap forbras, underwear, and half-slips typically worn by women. The device maybe comprised of an adjustable strap with a pair of clips, one attachedto each end. Users may stretch the adjustable strap to a desired sizeand utilize the clips to secure the device onto clothing. The device maybe discrete and non-visible when worn underneath clothing or may bedecorative for wearing in place of straps on strapless garments. Theclips may include silicone coverings to provide additional comfort.Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications mayvary upon manufacturing.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals ofreference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a garment clipdevice 100.

FIG. 1 shows a garment clip device 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As illustrated, the garment clip 100 may include astrap 110, a distal-end clip 120, and a proximal-end clip 130. In oneembodiment, the garment clip device 100 may further include astorage-pouch 140 for compact storage of the strap 110, the distal-endclip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the garment clip device 100 ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The strap110 may include a distal-end 112, a proximal-end 114 opposite thedistal-end 112 and a strap-length 116 therebetween. In one embodiment,the strap-length 116 may be at least five inches long. Further, thestrap 110 may include a strap-width 111 of 2 mm. In a preferredembodiment, the strap-length 116 may be adjustable. In this embodiment,the strap-length 116 may include an adjuster-button 117 that may easilyadjust the strap-length 116 so that users of all shapes and sizes areable to use the garment clip device 100. Further to this, in thepreferred embodiment, the strap 110 may be made from a flexible-materialto allow for easier adjustability and comfortable stretch in the strap110. In one embodiment, the flexible-material may be elastic.

In one embodiment, the strap 110 may be transparent to preventviewability of the strap 110 through the at least one garment. Furtherto this, the strap 110 may include a strap-thickness 113 of 1 mm tofurther prevent viewability of the strap 110 through the at least onegarment. In this embodiment, the garment clip device 100 may attach oneend of a slip to a bra (via the proximal-end clip 130) and another endof the slip to underwear (via the distal-end clip 120). In thisembodiment, it is important that the garment clip device 100 remainsdiscrete so as to avoid embarrassment and unsightly bulges in the atleast one garment.

In one embodiment, the strap 110 may include a decorative appearance. Inthis embodiment, the garment clip device 100 may be utilized as a strap110 on a strapless garment. As such, the garment clip device 100 mayattach to a front of the at least one garment (via the distal-end of theclip) and attach to a back of the at least one garment (via theproximal-end of the clip). In this embodiment, it is preferable that twogarment clip devices 100 are provided, and that each garment clip device100 is attached to each side of the at least one garment. The strap 110may include the decorative appearance having different patterns, logos,colors, etc.

FIGS. 3A-3D show side perspective views of the garment clip device 100of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Asshown, the distal-end clip 120 may be attached to the distal-end 112 ofthe strap 110. The distal-end-clip 120 may have a first distal-endclip-member 121, a second distal-end clip-member 122 joined to the firstdistal-end clip-member 121 via a first-hinge 123, and a firstactuator-lever 124. The first distal-end clip member 121 may include atleast one first mating-protrusion 125, the second distal-end clip member122 may include at least one first mating-aperture 126 configured tomateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion 125, and thefirst actuator-lever 124 may be configured to selectively open and closethe first distal-end clip member 121 and the second distal-end clipmember 122.

Similarly, the proximal-end clip 130 may be attached to the proximal-end114 of the strap 110. The proximal-end-clip 130 may have a firstproximal-end clip-member 131, a second proximal-end clip-member 132joined to the first proximal-end clip-member 131 via a second-hinge 133,and a second actuator-lever 134. The first proximal-end clip member 131may include at least one second mating-protrusion 135, the secondproximal-end clip member 132 may include at least one secondmating-aperture 136 configured to mateably-receive the at least onesecond mating-protrusion 135, and the first actuator-lever 124 may beconfigured to selectively open and close the first proximal-end clipmember 131 and the second proximal-end clip member 132.

In one embodiment, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130may be made from a silicone-material. However, other materials arecontemplated such as plastic-material, rubber-material, etc. Inaddition, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may eachinclude a padding-material 139 thereon to provide comfort to the userwhen attached to a garment. Again, in one embodiment, thepadding-material 139 may be silicone; but other materials arecontemplated. In addition to this, the distal-end clip 120 and theproximal-end clip 130 may be transparent to prevent viewability of thedistal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 through the at leastone garment. Similarly, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-endclip 130 may each include a clip-thickness 129 of 2 mm to furtherprevent viewability of the strap 110 through the at least one garment.

FIGS. 4A-4B show top perspective views of the garment clip device 100 ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown,the garment clip device 100 may further include a distal-end clip cover127 for attachment to the distal-end clip 120. The distal-end clip 120may include a first attachment-means 128 for receiving the distal-endclip cover 127. Similarly, the garment clip device 100 may furtherinclude a proximal-end clip cover 137 for attachment to the proximal-endclip 130 and the proximal-end clip 130 may include a secondattachment-means 138 for receiving the proximal-end clip cover 137. Inone embodiment, the first attachment-means 128 and the secondattachment-means 138 may be a snap fastener. In this embodiment, thedistal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may each include afemale snap fastener, and the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-endclip 130 may each include a male snap fastener for mating with thefemale snap fastener. Other attachment-means are contemplated.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a garment clipdevice 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, the method of using a garment clip device 500 may includethe steps of: step one 501, providing the garment clip device 100 asabove; step two 502, attaching the distal-end clip 120 to a firstgarment at a first-side of a user; and step three 503, attaching theproximal-end clip 130 to a second garment at the first-side of the user.Further steps may include: step four 504, providing a second garmentclip device 100; step five 505, attaching a second distal-end clip 120of the second garment clip device 100 to the first garment at asecond-side of the user; and step six 506, attaching a secondproximal-end clip 130 of the second garment clip device 100 to thesecond garment at the second-side of the user.

It should be noted that step four 504, step five 505 and step six 506are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optionalsteps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. Itshould also be noted that the steps described in the method of use canbe carried out in many different orders according to user preference.The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in theclaims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§ 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances,considering such issues as design preference, user preferences,marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, availablematerials, technological advances, etc., other methods for garment clip100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list,elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certainmaintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A garment clip device, the garmentclip device comprising: a strap including a distal-end, a proximal-endopposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween; a distal-endclip attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip havinga first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joinedto the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a firstactuator-lever, the first distal-end clip member including at least onefirst mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member including atleast one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the atleast one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever beingconfigured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clipmember and the second distal-end clip member; and a proximal-end clipattached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip havinga first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-memberjoined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and asecond actuator-lever, the first proximal-end clip member including atleast one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip memberincluding at least one second mating-aperture configured tomateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and thefirst actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close thefirst proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member.2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a distal-end clip cover forattachment to the distal-end clip, and wherein the distal-end clipincludes a first attachment-means for receiving the distal-end clipcover.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a proximal-end clipcover for attachment to the proximal-end clip, and wherein theproximal-end clip includes a second attachment-means for receiving theproximal-end clip cover.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thestrap-length is at least five inches.
 5. The device of claim 4, whereina strap-width of the strap is 2 mm.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe strap is made from a flexible-material.
 7. The device of claim 6,wherein flexible-material is elastic.
 8. The device of claim 1, whereinthe strap-length is adjustable.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thestrap is transparent to prevent viewability of the strap through the atleast one garment.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap includesa strap-thickness of 1 mm to further prevent viewability of the strapthrough the at least one garment.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein thedistal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are made from asilicone-material.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal-endclip and the proximal-end clip are made from a plastic-material.
 13. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clipeach include a padding-material thereon to provide comfort to the userwhen attached to the at least one garment.
 14. The device of claim 1,wherein the padding-material is silicone.
 15. The device of claim 1,wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are transparent toprevent viewability of the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clipthrough the at least one garment.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein thedistal-end clip and the proximal-end clip each include a clip-thicknessof 2 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap through the at leastone garment.
 17. The device of claim 1, further comprising astorage-pouch for compact storage of the strap, the distal-end clip andthe proximal-end clip.
 18. A garment clip device, the garment clipdevice comprising: a strap including a distal-end, a proximal-endopposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween; a distal-endclip attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip havinga first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joinedto the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a firstactuator-lever, the first distal-end clip member including at least onefirst mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member including atleast one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the atleast one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever beingconfigured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clipmember and the second distal-end clip member; and a proximal-end clipattached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip havinga first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-memberjoined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and asecond actuator-lever, the first proximal-end clip member including atleast one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip memberincluding at least one second mating-aperture configured tomateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and thefirst actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close thefirst proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member;a distal-end clip cover for attachment to the distal-end clip, andwherein the distal-end clip includes a first attachment-means forreceiving the distal-end clip cover; a proximal-end clip cover forattachment to the proximal-end clip, and wherein the proximal-end clipincludes a second attachment-means for receiving the proximal-end clipcover; and a storage-pouch for compact storage of the strap, thedistal-end clip and the proximal-end clip; and wherein the strap-lengthis at least five inches; wherein a strap-width of the strap is 2 mm;wherein the strap is made from a flexible-material; whereinflexible-material is elastic; wherein the strap-length is adjustable;wherein the strap is transparent to prevent viewability of the strapthrough a garment; wherein the strap includes a strap-thickness of 1 mmto further prevent viewability of the strap through the garment; whereinthe distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are made from asilicone-material; wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clipeach include a padding-material thereon to provide comfort to the userwhen attached to the at least one garment; wherein the padding-materialis silicone; wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip aretransparent to prevent viewability of the distal-end clip and theproximal-end clip through the garment; and wherein the distal-end clipand the proximal-end clip each include a clip-thickness of 2 mm tofurther prevent viewability of the strap through the at least onegarment.
 19. A method of using a garment clip device, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing the garment clip device, the garmentclip device including: a strap including a distal-end, a proximal-endopposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween; a distal-endclip attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip havinga first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joinedto the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a firstactuator-lever, the first distal-end clip member including at least onefirst mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member including atleast one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the atleast one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever beingconfigured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clipmember and the second distal-end clip member; and a proximal-end clipattached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip havinga first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-memberjoined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and asecond actuator-lever, the first proximal-end clip member including atleast one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip memberincluding at least one second mating-aperture configured tomateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and thefirst actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close thefirst proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member;attaching the distal-end clip to a first garment at a first-side of auser; and attaching the proximal-end clip to a second garment at thefirst-side of the user.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprisingthe steps of: providing a second garment clip device; attaching a seconddistal-end clip of the second garment clip device to the first garmentat a second-side of the user; and attaching a second proximal-end clipof the second garment clip device to the second garment at thesecond-side of the user.